Holiday Gifts for $5 or Less

Holiday Gifts for $5 or Less

Think the only way to find some thoughtful presents for less than $5 is to jump in a time machine and head back to ‘76? Think again! Our deal hunters created this affordable, adorable Glamour gift guide packed with ideas that won’t put a big dent in your holiday budget.

For cat ladies (or gents): Kitty cup and placemat, $3-$4 each

For the person on your gift list who just can’t get enough of cats (anyone has one!), there’s the holographic kitten cup and matching placemat, which let the feline lovefest carry on, even during dinnertime.

For the too-cool-for-school kid: Shrimp-flavored chips, $1.65

For the girls: Animal-print coin purses, $6 for 12

No need to try to pick favorites this year: When you buy in bulk, you can afford to give a chic little coin purse to all the ladies in your Facebook circle. And since you’ll wind up spending just 50 cents per gift, you’ll have enough money left over to buy them all a round on your next girls’ night out.

For your officemates: Printable calendar, $5

There are a lot of adorable deals to be found on etsy.com, but few make giving an “I’m glad I work with you” gift to the entire office so easy and affordable: Just download the $5 PDF file of the coy 2010 calendar—each month spoofs the classic British “Keep Calm and Carry On” WWII poster—and print out as many as you’d like.

For the sports fanatic: T-shirt message board, $4.99

Why yell at the TV or strip down and do the whole body-paint thing when a programmable, wearable message board with LED lights can get the GO SOX! point across just as well? This is one gift that your number one sports fan is sure to cheer for.

For the beauty buff: Talcum powder tin, $2.50

Nail files, hair clips and nail polishes are all good cheapie beauty buys, but an unexpected prettifier like this fancy-looking powder wins extra points for adding a little vintage charm to the medicine cabinet.

For the frequent flyer: Talking luggage tags, $4.95 each

Almost everyone has a horror story about the airline losing a suitcase. Make sure your jet-setting friend has an automatic in with the baggage handlers by giving her one of these easy-to-identify, warm-and-fuzzy luggage tags. If her suitcase ever does get lost, we’re betting the TSA will be amused enough to help her find it.

For the Martha Stewart in training: Rubber stamps, $3.50

In search of a gift for the gal pal who loves stationery, idolizes Martha Stewart and insisted on making 1,000 paper cranes for your wedding? These too-cute-for-words stamps from Etsy e-tailer Norajane will let her personalize to her heart’s content. Choose from leaves, birds, flowers and more.

For the girl on the go: Paris Presents folding double compact mirror, $2.99

For less than $3, you can ensure that your girlfriends never have a horrible Do-I-have-something-in-my-teeth? or Is-my-hair-a-hot-mess? moment again. The two-sided compact comes in four fun colors, too, so it’ll seem like you spent a lot more on it than you did.

For your employees: Starbucks Via, $2.95 for three

Unless you work for a coffee company, chances are your office brew kinda sucks. Give your bean-discerning employees a better option with the new just-add-hot-water Starbucks Via. Think how much more productive they’ll be when they’re no longer standing in line for their daily cup of joe.

For the person with too much on her mind: To-Do Tattoo, $3.49 for 12

We thought scribbling notes on the back of your hand went out of style after middle school, but we have to admit that these to-do list tattoos are both practical and hilarious. The 12-pack of temporary tattoos and washable pen also makes a great, cheap present for your forgetful boyfriend or frazzled coworker.

For the film buff: Pop Secret lip balm, $3.99

Let’s face it, movies are expensive. Admission, a large tub of popcorn and a fountain soda can easily run you more than $20—and who knows how many calories! But that’s no excuse to deny your film-loving friend a taste of the theater. Wrap up a tube of buttered-popcorn-flavored lip balm from Pop Secret for only $3.99—calories not included.

For your cash-strapped friend: Lottery tickets, $1-$5

Giving cash, at least in small amounts, can feel a bit, well, tacky. But giving the hope of a windfall? Now that’s another story. Be your buddies’ own little bit o’ luck by sending them a few chances to win big.

Lottery tickets, $1-$5, lottery agents

For the do-gooder: UNICEF’s mosquito net

Whether you’ve decided to give charitable donations in lieu of gifts this season or you just want to get something special for that heart-of-gold person on your holiday list, consider UNICEF’s online “shop.” For the same cost as your afternoon coffee break, they’ll give an insect repellant-treated net and to a child in Africa—where a child dies from mosquito-borne malaria malaria every 30 seconds.